Choir Tour

I got back from the Doane Choir Illinois tour on Sunday evening and never have I been so exhausted. We sang 8 performances in 5 days, drove a total of 17 hours, and sang for literally thousands of people. It is not, however, the statistics of a Doane Choir tour that make it impressive to me. It's the dedication of the choir's members, the dedication of our conductor Dr. Kurt Runestad, and the absolute fire with which we sing.

The Sear's Tower

Lake Michigan

If I could sum up tour in one word, I would use GROWTH. We grow as a family, we grow as performers, we grow as people, but most importantly to me, we grow in our faith. Before every concert the choir has devotions together. We hear God's words and His promises and we are uplifted. When we are too tired to stand, we are reminded that God will be there to hold us up. When the storms of life are coming, we are told that God helps us break through the clouds.

This year we performed a song called "Christ the Apple Tree" which soon became my favorite. Here are the words:

The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

That last verse gets me every time. We may be weary and tired, but we can always find rest and comfort under the shadow of Jesus Christ. Praise God! We don't have to fight through our weakness alone!!!


Thank you, Doane Choir, for helping me grow this week. I can't wait for Brazil!

grace and peace,
Mair